Zoo to You

While my mom was here, I took advantage of some toddler reading times.  One time we went to one being held at our amenity center (and Mia was oddly calm and patient during the reading) and then I took Makaela to a library event called Zoo to You.  Since it was geared to older kids, my mom stayed home with Mia, while Makaela and I went.  We met up with a friend and her children there and the JAX zoo gave a cute presentation of animals and animal facts.  At the end we got to touch some of the animals.  They kept the snake, skink, and tarantula under glass, but interestingly enough, we got to tough the alligator.  Makaela kept saying they put a band-aid on top of his nose so he wouldn't bite us.

Her favorite was the armadillo though.  Unfortunately, as a result of this presentation, she now recognizes them as the roadkill we tend to see while we are driving (they are all over FL).  The other day, she asked me to stop and bring the armadillo to the vet, so we can get him better.  We had an interesting conversation about sometimes being too late.  It's crazy how quickly she is growing up. 

Mia Mia Peanut Butter Eater

Mia has a newfound affection for peanut butter but I didn't know how great it was until I turned around and found her eating straight from the peanut butter jar.  I had left the jar on the table and she leaned over, grabbed it from the table, opened the jar and went to town. 

Hollywood Studios

We spent the last day in Orlando going to the Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM/ Disney studios).  It is geared towards shows and movie attractions, so my mom stayed back with Mia.  I wasn't sure if she would be able to handle watching show after show after her late bedtime the night before.  There were a few rides though and Makaela surprised me by going on the Tower of Terror- a free fall ride.  She chickened out on the second time- we were strapped in our seatbelts when she decided that riding it once was enough for her.  The last show of the evening, a pyrotechnic show called Fanstamic, was cancelled due to lightening and Makaela kept chanting "We want a show, we want a show" over and over again.  I think she is turning into a Disney freak.

Being amused by Mr. Potato Head while on line for the Toy Story attraction

Playing in the "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" garden- I used to love that movie

Makaela and Lauren running around all the roots

The Beauty and the Beast show

Magic Kingdom...again

We went back to Magic Kingdom today, but smartened up. We waited until after Mia's nap to go and by the time we got to the park, the lines were not as long.  Our first stop was to see Mickey and Minnie.  Mia was enthralled!

It was another hot day, so Makaela got a fun water spritz/fan bottle.  That little thing kept everyone entertained while we were waiting on lines.  Makaela and Donna's goddaughter Lauren took turns soaking each other.

That night we had dinner with the princesses (our second time eating in the castle) and Makaela dressed up as a princess too.  We did a quick change before dinner since I didn't want her walking around park sweating in her costume.  The food was delicious and it was lots of fun.

Mia didn't know what to do other than stare at the princesses.

Makaela and Mia having a "wand" fight.

By the time we were done with dinner, the castle was lit up and beautiful

We got to watch the Electric Parade from the castle steps (which is usually off limits but since we had dinner there, we were allowed to stay)

Mia couldn't stand all the excitement

Back to Legoland

My aunt Donna and Uncle Gerald came down to Orlando, so we decided to pack up the girls and go spend a few days in their timeshare. Makaela was adamant about heading to Legoland again, so we picked up Donna and headed out. It was very very hot, but Makaela didn't let the heat stop her- we hit all the rollercoasters again and even more rides. My mom and Mia had some playtime in the air-conditioned lego rooms and on the toddler rides where they didn't have to run around so much.

The girls, aunt Donna and Grandma in front of legoland

Mia "driving" on the car track

Carousel- Mia's favorite ride, plus it was shady!

parade wave

Mini USA- this is Vegas recreated with Legos

Times Square NYC in legos

amazing!

She got her Legoland license after driving this course

on the safari ride

all the animals were made of legos too

Makaela and Aunt Donna

Makaela insisted that Aunt Donna do "no hands"

Makaela-isms

Makaela has come up with some very interesting words lately. 

Mia has had some interesting bowel movements lately, probably due to her breaking her molars.  So, I guess Makaela has been listening to me comment on it and when I opened up Mia's diaper one day, she said, "Yuck, Dad, she has another diaper-ito again".  I guess diarrhea sounds like diaper and dorito?

We were eating stir-fry one night and I suggested that she take a spoon to help her eat her rice to which she says, "Yes, but you can eat rice on your porkchop so I can too".  Eating rice with porkchops would be bit difficult though.

This summer has had a few rainy days and usually during Mia's naptime, she is confined to the house.   The other day, she was moaning saying, "I'm so boring" and in my head I was thinking, "Yes, yes, you can be especially when you whine.

Zoo time with Grandma

Suzie left on July 10th and my mom got here on the 11th, so since we were in Jacksonville picking her up, we decided to spend the rest of the day at the zoo seeing the exhibits and activities we didn't get to do the other day. As soon as we got there, Makaela said, "It looks like it's going to rain" and I shrugged it off, but sure enough, the heavens opened and it poured on us.  It didn't really phase Mia too much, but we were huddled under the stingray pavilion and then under the warthog exhibit watching the chase each other in the mud.  After the rain subsided, it cooled down, which made all the animals emerge from their den and we got some great views



Mia sticking her head out into the rain and squealing

Carousel time with Grandma

Playing at the zoo's splashpad

the treehouse playground

Grandma climbed right in with the girls